4 - Lake Murray Dam to Broad/Congaree confluence

Great play run located in downtown Columbia. Lots of cool routes and playspots at a wide variety of levels. Radio Tower, Stacys Ledge, Maytag, Lap of Luxury, Mill Race, Cookie Monster, Blast'o Matic, Pop Up Hole/Mosh Pit are some of the named spots near the zoo. On the right side of the island near the zoo is a popular creek line with a small slide and some cool moves. Typical run options are: Hopes Ferry to Gardendale for beginners, Hopes Ferry to above Millrace for intermediates, and Hopes Ferry or Millrace to the Ampitheater for more advanced boaters, or park and play based out of the city park above Millrace utilizing the trail system. Mill race rapid is just to the left of the Island under the power lines. Beware of the right side of the Mill Race at higher flows. A dangerous hole forms, and there is some very sharp rock and re-bar in the streambed. There is a nice trail below pop up hole on river right that can be used to walk back up to the top of the mill race. There is good river access on river left at pop up hole. Pop up hole is munchy 2500-3500cfs Pop up is optimal at 4000-4500 cfs It can range from a pourover to a meaty ledge hole. It is best around 3500 to 4500 cfs (easy to link moves). Most of the time you can only cartwheel to the left but at higher flows you can wheel either way. It has a good access eddy. At low flows it is perfect to practice your enders, pirouettes, cartwheels, and mystery moves. The water is cold all the time (around 50 degrees) and is always running (dam controlled), so you can count on a playspot there in one form or another. Water can raise rapidly. How to get there: Heading towards Columbia on I-26 get onto I-126 towards Columbia. Take the River Bank Zoo exit. Turn left at the stop sign. Turn left towards the zoo. Turn right into the parking lot. Take another right after you cross over the railroad tracks. Then head to the end of the parking lot. There is a short trail here that leads to the river. Now paddle around the little Island and head upstream to river right for the hole. AW article on 1993 Saluda River Festival